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Due to additional state agency budget reductions announced last week, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is expanding its office hour closures from a half day every other Friday to a full day on those Fridays. The closures will begin next week, and continue through June 11th.

Department of Health and Welfare offices will be closed on:

March 5

April 16

May 28

March 19

April 30

June 11

April 2

May 14

DHW employees will take unpaid furlough during the office closures, resulting in a state general fund savings of approximately $1 million. With this announcement, DHW employees are taking a total of 108 hours of unpaid furlough for the fiscal year, a 5.2% annual pay reduction.

During these closures, the DHW Director’s office will remain open. The closures will not affect essential services such as crisis response for mental health, or response to child protection calls for abuse or neglect. Also, the state’s two state mental health hospitals and IdahoStateSchool and Hospital will maintain 24/7 operations.

People seeking assistance during the Friday office closures can access information through the DHW website at www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov, or they can contact office staff on the following Monday.